n an age that demands quick climate change action, engaging the youth is an imperative. The generation that will have to live with the environmental changes can be a key resource in raising awareness, promoting innovation and taking action to solve the global crisis. Energy, creativity and commitment are important in constructing sustainable solutions, particularly where climate adaptation is concerned.

Climate adaptation means that societies and ecosystems change their ways to thrive in the changed climate. This entails preparing in advance for future disasters by improving infrastructure and agricultural practices that will ensure food security, etc. At this point, it is the youth who have the capability to make a difference by mobilising people, influencing policies and leading practical initiatives.

Young minds are better able to conceive new ideas, innovate and benefit from new technologies. They are best placed to deal with the challenges that relate to climate change. They can use digital platforms to raise awareness on climate risks, advocate for sustainable practices and develop cost-effective scalable solutions.

Their passion and ability to connect with a wide audience allows them to mobilise collective action at the local and global levels. Young leaders from around the world are already implementing climate adaptation initiatives. Local communities join hands with various youth organisations to promote sustainable agriculture, restore degraded ecosystems, and improve the use of renewable sources of energy.

Grassroots initiatives typically target unique vulnerabilities and strengthen communities. Other innovators are now using the available technology to build apps to track carbon footprint, affordable water filtration and produce innovations to reduce the negative impact of climate change.

Youth activism and movements like Fridays for Future have strengthened the call to action by holding protest demonstrations, creating online movements and engaging the policymakers directly. Many young entrepreneurs have launched sustainable businesses, offering eco-friendly products and services that encourage larger social changes toward sustainability.

The youth’s participation can be fully realised only if their ideas are incorporated into decision-making and policymaking. Despite increasing engagement, young people are often barred from important climatic adaptation discussions. Donor organisations and governments must recognise the value of youth engagement and actively involve them in shaping policies.

The youth’s involvement can be fully realised if their ideas are incorporated in decision-making and policymaking. Despite their increasing engagement, young people are often barred from important climatic adaptation discussions.

Donor organisations should offer financing for large-scale projects, including provisions for youth-led projects in their policies. Grants should be made available for young innovators developing climate adaptation technology and community based projects. These institutions may provide young people’s voices new avenues by establishing youth advisory councils or appointing young people as delegates in international climate summits.

The youth should be welcome to contribute in decision-making to make climate adaptation strategies more inclusive, innovative and future-oriented. This allows the youth to claim ownership of the planet’s future so that they feel accountable.

Since schools occupy a large portion of young people’s lives, education systems are an important factor in instilling climate awareness and survival skills in the youth. Climate change and adaptation can be included in bespoke courses or small group projects. Schools and universities should start integrating these in the mainstream curricula in order to grow a generation of climate conscious leaders.

All disciplines should discuss climate science, sustainability and adaptation. Also, universities can push for student-led research projects that try to deal with the local challenges.

Funding, mentorship and collaborative opportunities should be provided to foster a community of learning. Students need the platform to engage with climate adaptation initiatives in academia, for example participating in community outreach programmes, working with local governments on sustainable projects or backing up students’ environmental clubs.

Forums, debates and workshops are other places where students can present their ideas and solve problems. Once students are provided the resources needed to make a change, they become generators of critical thinking and inspire others to take collective action.

This is a strategic necessity to engage with the youth on climate change. More than anyone else, it is the young people who have the passion and the resilience needed to work for change in a world increasingly constrained by political and economic challenges. They have the ability to push out-of-the-box solutions and approach issues in unconventional ways.

We can have meaningful youth engagement in climate adaptation by forming partnerships. There is a need for collaboration between governments, donor organisations, academia and civil society, to provide young people the needed resources, platforms and opportunities to become leaders. Additionally, we should pursue and celebrate mentorship programmes and partnerships with other organisations.

It is high time to engage the youth to prevent or mitigate climate change by including young voices in policymaking, providing climate education and supporting practical initiatives. This will build a resilient and sustainable future. Young people’s efforts are already ramping up. These can be amplified with the right types of support and inclusion. They are custodians of the future of this planet. They deserve to not only to be heard but also to lead. We must listen to their voices.

The writer is founder and CEO of Digital Tome Communications